Putting one foot in front of the other isn't always easy

Magic numbers

When I can’t fall asleep at night, I think about words. Words I don’t often use, fun words (gestate and harmful are two favorites), and new ways to spiff up a sentence. This isn’t surprising since I’m a writer.

But I also heart numbers. In fact, I was in honors math way before honors English. I get a thrill out of doing fast math in my head. It’s sad how excited I get when I can figure out the percentage off something more quickly than a friend can do it on her cell phone’s calculator.

My favorite number is 10. Why?

On 10/10/76, the old Giants stadium opened. The head contractor and the head engineer of the stadium were friends. On opening day, they introduced their kids to each other. Those kids got engaged a few months later, and a few years after that, they had me.

On 10/10/01, exactly 25 years after my parents met, a certain Ironman asked me to be his girlfriend.

On 12/10/05, that Ironman asked me if I’d be his wife.

Today is 12/10/10. That means I got engaged 5 years ago, and started dating the Ironman 110 months ago today.

And since we were speaking of the Giants, my very talented, often foolish quaterback’s number is 10.

My love for numbers also impacts my running. A lot of that has to do with my Garmin addiction. As Jen said on my speed post, “It’s amazing how eye-opening it is to have the facts right there on your wrist”. I completely agree 🙂

Tomorrow, I’m running half marathon number 11. It will be my 2nd time running the Thunder Road half. And it’ll be my 18th, and final, race of 2010.

I would like to keep around an 8:00 minute/ mile pace, and finish in 1:45:00. But with zero organized speedwork in 2 months, 680 feet of elevation climb (1381 feet of total elevation change), and a low temperature of 26 degrees tonight, I know that’s very wishful thinking.

I’m trying to forget about the numbers. Especially the one that indicates what it will “feel like” outside.

I’m going to run hard but my main goal is to have fun. Running is such a gift and a race atmosphere brings me so much joy. Especially when 6 of my friends will be racing, too.

Pssst, one of those friends is racing in her first ever race tomorrow morning. Go wish Diana luck on her 5k!

Are you more of a numbers or words person? All the cool kids are both 😉

Yup, my one grandfather was the head engineer for Giants Stadium, the George Washington Bridge, and the World Trade Center (my mom was the first woman ever in the WTC). He was pretty amazing. In fact, Walt Disney personally asked him to come work for him and design Disney World (he said no b/c he didn’t want to leave NJ). We still have that letter framed.

aw yay happy engagement anniversary! mine is in 4 days!!
I love numbers too. Sadly I dont think I have a lot of cool signifigance with mine like you do. Bobbys birthday is june 6 so on 6/6/2006 we were afraid he was going to spontaneously combust or something!

Good luck for the race! I can’t believe you’ve done 18 this year- that’s epic!

I always liked the fact that my birthday had its own pattern (7282- if you live in NZ, anyway…) and that the final letter of each of my names was the same as the first letter of the next name (until I got married). Kate Elizabeth H…..

Sadly, it seems like recently when I go to sleep, I think about work stuff that makes me anxious. Sentences would be better!

I am definitely a definitely a numbers person cause they are so much more concrete than words and my ocd can just flourish 😉

I’m running the thunder road half too tomorrow! I’m a little nervous about all the hills though and because I’ve completely slacked off training due to sickness and holiday fun so my last “long run” was 10 miles about 3 weeks ago… but oh well i’m just gonna give it my best shot and hopefully finish under 1:55 🙂